Benjamin S. Weiss
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About Benjamin S. Weiss
When he's not writing about games, or playing them, Ben's an energy reporter in Washington, D.C. He graduated from the American University with degrees in International Relations and Russian Language (the latter inspired by playing too much Modern Warfare 2 as a kid). At uni, he was editor in chief of an investigative journalism magazine.
Latest
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Masterplan Tycoon Interview: Dev Bureau Bravin on His User-Friendly Resource Management Sim
Game ZXC talks to the solo dev behind Masterplan Tycoon about how he boiled down a usually-complex genre into a game suited for a broad base
![masterplan-sidebar](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/masterplan-sidebar.jpg)
Solo Dev Bureau Bravin’s Programming Past Inspired His Work on Masterplan Tycoon
Game ZXC talks to Bravin about one particular programming feature that forms the backbone of Masterplan Tycoon’s gameplay
![masterplan-mainmap](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/masterplan-mainmap.jpg)
Masterplan Tycoon Dev Bureau Bravin Aims to Create an Accessible Strategy Game
Game ZXC talks to Bravin about how Masterplan Tycoon’s simplistic design and friendly gameplay keeps players on track without overwhelming them
![hayai-header](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/hayai-header.jpeg)
HAYAI Interview: Dev Chaoclypse on Unique Game Mechanics and the Creative Process
Game ZXC talks to HAYAI dev Brandon Yu about how he is striving to emulate the joy of creation in video games, thanks to TTRPGs
![HAYAI-character-select](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/hayai-character-select.jpg)
HAYAI Dev Chaoclypse on Tabletop RPGs and Inspiring Creativity in Others
Game ZXC talks to solo dev Brandon Yu about what pen-and-paper roleplaying games can teach people about design and the creative process
![HAYAI-combat](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/hayai-combat.jpg)
HAYAI Dev Chaoclypse Talks Trial and Error in Indie Game Development
Game ZXC talks to solo dev Brandon Yu about how his interest in unique game mechanics drives experimentation in his development process
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Rebellion Interview: Founder Jason Kingsley on the Studio’s 30th Anniversary
Game ZXC talks to Rebellion's lead about his decades of game dev experience, how far the industry has come, and where he sees it going next.
![rebellion-30y-resample](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/rebellion-30y-resample.jpeg)
After 30 Years, Rebellion Lead Jason Kingsley Imparts Wisdom for Today's Indie Devs
Game ZXC talks to the Rebellion founder Jason Kingsley about navigating the games industry and the changing definition of ‘indie’ studios.
![rebellion-logo](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/rebellion-logo.jpg)
Rebellion Founder Jason Kingsley on the Changing Landscape of Game Design
On Rebellion's 30-year anniversary, Game ZXC talks to the studio lead about its humble beginnings and the impacts of modern technology.
![otto-title](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/otto-title.jpg)
Otto and the Ancient Worlds IndieLands Interview: Obvious Gravity on the Long, Winding Path of Game Design
Ahead of 2022 IndieLands, Game ZXC met Obvious Gravity studio lead Jordan Marx to discuss Otto and the Ancient Worlds, the team's first title.
![otto-cerberus](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/otto-cerberus.jpg)
Otto and the Ancient Worlds Takes Inspirations from Folklore, Legendary Game Titles
Game ZXC talks to Obvious Gravity lead about how Otto and the Ancient Worlds works classic game mechanics and folklore into its gameplay.
![otto-shakespeare](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/otto-shakespeare.jpg)
Otto and the Ancient Worlds is an Education for Both its Developer and Audience
Game ZXC talks to Jordan Marx about how his development studio accidentally made indie title Otto and the Ancient Worlds a lesson in folklore.
![hazelnut-hex-banner](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/hazelnut-hex-banner.jpg)
Hazelnut Hex Interview: Chunderfins on the Quest to Capture the Essence of Classic Shmups
Game ZXC talks to Hazelnut Hex dev James about how his childhood favorites led him to this passion project, a modern take on the genre's best.
![hazelnut-hex-jungle](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/hazelnut-hex-jungle.jpg)
Hazelnut Hex Dev Talks Solo Game Design, Navigating Player Feedback
Game ZXC speaks with Chunderfins' solo developer James, who said he still sees a lot of love for classic shoot ‘em ups like Hazelnut Hex.
![hazelnut-hex-dialogue](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/hazelnut-hex-dialogue.jpg)
Hazelnut Hex Dev on How the Game Mirrors Classic Shoot ‘Em Up Titles
Game ZXC talks to James from Chunderfins about the games from his childhood that inspired the mechanics and gameplay in Hazelnut Hex.
![Yuna-banner-transcript](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Yuna-banner-transcript.jpg)
Streamer Interview: Yunalescka Talks Final Fantasy, Family, and her World Record Attempt
Game ZXC sits down with Twitch streamer Yunalescka, who is on the verge of securing the world record for most Final Fantasy collectibles.
![yuna-header-4](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/yuna-header-4.jpg)
Streamer Yunalescka Talks Rising Above the Hate, Taking Risks in Her Career
Game ZXC talks to Yuna about how a toxic community pushed her to step out of her comfort zone, chase her passions, and deal with online hate
![taline-header-2](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/taline-header-2.jpg)
Final Fantasy World Record Quest is Personal For Streamer Yunalescka
Game ZXC talks to Twitch streamer Yunalescka about the impact Final Fantasy had on her life and what holding a world record would mean to her.
![twitch streamer cooking show return september 2022 interview](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/noms-with-neeko-pixel-header-fixed.jpg)
Noms with Neeko Interview: Streamer Nicole ‘Neeko’ Sanchez on Her Cooking Show’s Second Season
Game ZXC talks to Neeko about the roots of her culinary passions, Latinx representation, and learning new things with her latest streaming endeavor.
![neeko-header-2](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/neeko-header-2.jpg)
Noms with Neeko Host Talks Representation, Life as a Streamer
Game ZXC sits down with Nicole ‘Neeko’ Sanchez to talk about how she keeps herself grounded amid the pressure of being a successful content creator